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Woman Loses Life in US 96 North Two-Vehicle Crash

September 11, 2018 - Emergency personnel were first alerted by a Center Volunteer fireman of the incident at the intersection of CR 4356 at 5:45pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

Units from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Police Department arrived with the Center Fire Department to assist at the scene, while Center firemen used Jaws of Life to extricate occupants from the passenger car involved and move them to waiting ambulances.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a blue 2007 Peterbilt truck-tractor semi-trailer hauling a load of shavings was driven by Derek Lampkin, 51, of Lufkin and was northbound on US 96.

At that time a silver 2003 Pontiac passenger car driven by Magdiel Cruz, 38, of Tenaha was stopped in the inside lane preparing to make a left turn on to CR 4356 when Lampkin failed to control speed and struck the Pontiac from the rear.

The truck-tractor overturned on the highway and came to rest on its left and across the entire highway. The Pontiac traveled off the roadway to the left and into the southbound shoulder where it came to rest.

Cruz was not reported to have been injured from the crash. A 14-year-old male child was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Natibida Ramirez, 41, a passenger in the Pontiac succumbed to her injuries and was pronounces deceases at the scene by Jackie Kirkwood, Shelby County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Ramirez was transported from the scene by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

The crash is being investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones who was assisted by Trooper Daniel Dellenger and Trooper Koonce.

At this time, no additional information is available and the crash remains under investigation.

Later, TxDOT arrived at the scene as well as Shelby County Constables Jake Metcalf and Roy Cheatwood.